U.S. patent number 6,123,276 [Application Number 09/412,454] was granted by the patent office on 2000-09-26 for interlock system for spreader bodies.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Henderson Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Timothy Ray Schenk, Glenn Ungerer.
United States Patent |
6,123,276 |
Ungerer , et al. |
September 26, 2000 |
Interlock system for spreader bodies
Abstract
Systems for reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation
of an auger located in a supply body and/or spreader device while
the covers of such a body or spreader device are open are provided.
A motor that is drivingly connected to the auger is provided, as is
a power supply for the motor that includes first and second
engageable couplings. An arm located adjacent the spreader device
is included, and is movable between a position that prevents
opening of the cover and a position that permits opening of the
cover. The first coupling is located with respect to the arm so
that the first and second couplings may be engaged only when the
arm is in a position that prevents the cover from opening. The
cover can only be opened when the first and second couplings are
separated, thereby interrupting the power supply to the motor and
preventing operation of the auger.
Inventors: |
Ungerer; Glenn (Swisher,
IA), Schenk; Timothy Ray (Manchester, IA) |
Assignee: |
Henderson Manufacturing Company
(Manchester, IA)
|
Family
ID: |
23633046 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/412,454 |
Filed: |
October 4, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/675;
239/684 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
19/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01C
19/00 (20060101); A01C 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/672,675,676,684 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Assistant Examiner: Nguyen; Dinh Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for preventing undesired opening of a cover movably
mounted on a spreader during operation of an auger located within
the spreader comprising
a supply body configured to hold particulates,
a spreader located adjacent the supply body and comprising an inlet
for accepting particulates from the supply body and an outlet for
distributing the particulates, the spreader further comprising an
open upper portion and a lower portion,
an auger located in the lower portion of the spreader,
a motor drivingly connected to the auger,
a cover movably mounted on the spreader that covers at least a
portion of the open upper portion of the spreader,
a power supply for the motor which includes first and second
engageable couplings, and
an arm adjacent to the spreader device movable between a position
that prevents opening of the cover and a position that permits
opening of the cover, the first coupling being located with respect
to the arm so that the first and second couplings may be engaged
only when the arm is in a position that prevents the cover from
opening,
wherein the cover can only be opened when the first and second
couplings are separated, thereby interrupting the power supply to
the motor and preventing operation of the auger.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the supply body is a
V-Box.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the movable arm is
mounted onto the supply body.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the movable arm
comprises a rotatable shaft.
5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second arm
adjacent to the spreader device movable between a position that
prevents opening of the cover and a position that permits opening
of the cover, wherein a portion of the power supply that is
attached to the second coupling is attached to the second arm.
6. A system for preventing undesired opening of a cover movably
mounted on a supply body during operation of a conveyor located
within the supply body comprising
a supply body comprising an open upper portion and a lower
portion,
a conveyor located in the lower portion of the supply body,
a motor drivingly connected to the conveyor,
a cover movably mounted on the supply body that covers at least a
portion of the open upper portion of the supply body,
a power supply for the motor which includes first and second
engageable couplings, and
an arm including a strut movable between a position that prevents
opening of the cover and a position that allows opening of the
cover, the first coupling being located with respect to the arm so
that the first and second couplings may be engaged only when the
strut is in a position that prevents the cover from opening,
wherein the cover can only be opened when the first and second
couplings are separated, thereby interrupting the power supply to
the motor and preventing operation of the conveyor.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the conveyor is an
auger.
8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the spreader body is a
V-Box.
9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the cover is a
screen.
10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first coupling is
mounted onto the arm.
11. The system according to claim 6, further comprising a second
cover pivotally mounted on the supply body that includes a tab, the
tab being positioned so that the first cover must be opened prior
to opening the second cover.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second cover is a
screen.
13. A system for preventing undesired opening of a cover movably
mounted on a spreader and a cover movably mounted on a supply body
during operation of an auger located within the spreader and supply
body comprising
a supply body open at its upper end and configured to hold
particulates,
a cover movably mounted on the supply body that covers at least a
portion of the open upper portion of the supply body,
a spreader located adjacent the supply body and comprising an inlet
for accepting particulates from the supply body and an outlet for
distributing the particulates, the spreader further comprising an
open upper portion and a lower portion,
a cover movably mounted on the spreader that covers at least a
portion of the open upper portion of the spreader,
an auger located in the lower portion of the spreader,
a motor drivingly connected to the auger,
a power supply for the motor which includes first and second
engageable couplings, and
an arm movable between a position that prevents opening of the
spreader cover and a position that permits opening of the spreader
cover, the arm including a strut that moves in coordination with
the arm between a position that prevents opening of the body cover
and a position that permits opening of the body cover, the first
coupling being located and oriented with respect to the arm and
strut so that the first and second couplings may be engaged only
when the arm and strut are in a position that prevents the spreader
and body covers from opening,
wherein the spreader and body covers can only be opened when the
first and second couplings are separated, thereby interrupting the
power supply to the motor and preventing operation of the
auger.
14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a second
cover pivotally mounted on the supply body that includes a tab, the
tab being positioned so that the first cover must be opened prior
to opening the second cover.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the supply body
covers are screens.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to spreader devices used in
combination with material supply bodies, e.g., V-Box spreader
bodies, which include an auger or other type of conveying mechanism
to move particulate material within the supply body and spreader,
thereby assisting in the distribution of particulate matter onto a
surface, such as salt or sand onto a roadway.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The distribution of particulate material onto surfaces, such as
salt or sand onto roadways and fertilizer onto fields, is commonly
provided by use of a chassismounted particulate supply body and
associated spreader device. One popular form of supply body is
commonly referred to as a V-Box. V-Box bodies are open at the top
to receive particulate material therein and have, as their name
implies, straight, downwardly sloped sides, generally in the shape
of a "V." These sloping sides function to direct the particulate
material toward the lower center of the body.
The particulate material is loaded into the V-Box through the open
top portion. The open top portion of the V-Box is commonly covered
by at least one screen. The screen allows the material to flow into
the V-Box, but prevents personnel from entering the V-Box. A V-Box
will commonly have at least two screens, with each screen being
pivotally mounted to the V-Box along its longitudinal
centerline.
A conveyor, such as an auger, is also provided in the lower portion
of the V-box. The auger extends from the front of the V-Box to at
least the rear of the V-Box, and typically beyond the rear of the
V-Box. The auger functions to move the material to the rear of the
V-Box, and typically extends into a spreader device located at the
rear of the V-Box to ensure movement of desired quantities of
particulate material from the V-Box into the spreader device.
The spreader device, located at the rear of the V-Box, includes a
hopper having an inlet that receives particulate material from the
V-Box and an outlet to distribute the particulates. An auger is
also located in the lower portion of the hopper to move the
particulates within the spreader device, and a pivotable cover is
provided on the upper portion of the hopper to prevent access to
the interior of the hopper. The auger in the spreader body is
typically the rearward extending portion of the same auger that is
located in the supply body, but may also be a second, separate,
auger. A spinner is often located under the outlet of the spreader
to scatter the particulate material across the surface over which
the spreader travels.
To perform maintenance or clean up, the spreader cover and V-Box
screens are sometimes opened. This exposes personnel to the auger.
Further, because power is available to the motor that drives the
auger when the covers are opened, there exists a possibility that
the auger would inadvertently be activated while the personnel were
in contact with the auger.
A system is therefore required to reduce the possibility of
inadvertent activation of the auger when the spreader cover or
supply body screens are opened. Such systems must further be
reliable in a corrosive environment, be relatively easy to use in
harsh environmental conditions, and be relatively difficult to
disable or circumvent.
SUMMARY OR THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the foregoing and other needs by
providing, in one aspect, a system for reducing the possibility of
inadvertent activation of an auger in a spreader device while the
cover of such a spreader device is open.
This system includes several components. A supply body configured
to hold particulates, and a spreader located adjacent the supply
body are provided. The spreader includes an inlet for accepting
particulates from the supply body and an outlet for distributing
the particulates. The spreader further includes an open upper
portion and a lower portion, with an auger being located in the
lower portion of the spreader, and a cover movably mounted on the
spreader to cover the open upper portion of the spreader. A motor
that is drivingly connected to the auger is provided, as is a power
supply for the motor that includes first and second engageable
couplings. An arm located adjacent the spreader device is included,
and is movable between a position that prevents opening of the
cover and a position that permits opening of the cover. The first
coupling is located with respect to the arm so that the first and
second couplings may be engaged only when the arm is in a position
that prevents the cover from opening. The cover can only be opened
when the first and second couplings are separated, thereby
interrupting the power supply to the motor and preventing operation
of the auger.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided
for reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation of an auger
in a supply body while the screens of such a supply body are open.
This system includes a supply body comprising an open upper portion
and a lower portion, and a conveyor located in the lower portion of
the supply body. A cover, e.g., screen or solid sheet, is movably
mounted on the supply body so as to cover at least a portion of the
open upper portion of the body. A motor drivingly connected to the
conveyor is provided, as is a power supply for the motor. The power
supply includes first and second engageable couplings. An arm is
provided that includes a strut that is movable between a position
that prevents opening of the cover and a position that permits
opening of the cover, wherein the first coupling is located with
respect to the arm so that the first and second couplings may be
engaged only when the strut is in a position that prevents the
cover from opening. The cover can thus only be opened when the
first and second couplings are separated, thereby interrupting the
power supply to the motor and preventing operation of the
conveyor.
The foregoing aspects may advantageously be used in combination, if
desired .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the systems of
the present invention, illustrating a V-Box and spreader mounted
onto a truck chassis, and showing this embodiment with the spreader
cover and optional V-Box screens in their closed positions;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of a system of the present invention taken
along section 2--2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the spreader cover and
optional V-Box screens in closed positions;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of a system of the present invention shown in
FIG. 2, illustrating the spreader cover and optional V-Box screens
in open positions;
FIG. 4A is a partial top view of a system of the present invention
taken along section 4--4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the interaction
between the arms, spreader cover, screen covers and couplings when
positioned to prevent opening of the spreader cover and
screens;
FIG. 4B is a partial top view of a system of the present invention
taken along section 4--4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the interaction
between the arms, spreader cover, screen covers and couplings when
positioned to permit opening of the spreader cover and screens;
FIG. 5 illustrates preferred quick connect-disconnect couplings
useful in the various systems of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a system of the present
invention illustrating two sets of V-Box screens, with protrusions
positioned on the second set of screens to prevent the second set
of screens from opening until the first set of screens is
opened;
FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of an embodiment of the system of the
present invention wherein the arms are attached to the supply body
and are in a position to prevent opening of the spreader cover;
FIG. 8A is a partial top view of an embodiment of the system of the
present invention taken along section line 8--8 of FIG. 7 wherein
the arms are attached to the supply body and are oriented in a
position to prevent opening of the spreader cover;
FIG. 8B is a partial top view of an embodiment of the system of the
present
invention taken along section line 8--8 of FIG. 7 wherein the arms
are attached to the supply body and are oriented in a position to
permit opening of the spreader cover;
FIG. 9A is a partial rear view of an embodiment of the system of
the present invention wherein the arms are attached to the spreader
and are in a position to prevent opening of the spreader cover;
and
FIG. 9B is a partial rear view of an embodiment of the system of
the present invention wherein the arms are attached to the spreader
and are in a position to permit opening of the spreader cover, as
shown.
While the invention will be described and disclosed in connection
with certain preferred embodiments and procedures, it is not
intended to limit the invention to those specific embodiments.
Rather it is intended to cover all such alternative embodiments and
modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
Unless specifically indicated to the contrary, use of a singular
pronoun in connection with a particular component of the invention
described and claimed herein should not be interpreted as limiting
the invention to only one such component; more than one such
component may be included.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the aspects of
the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading
the following description of preferred exemplified embodiments of
the invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for
ensuring that the power supply to the auger of the spreader device
is disconnected before the spreader cover is opened. Another aspect
of the present invention provides a similar apparatus for use in
connection with the supply body. Specifically, an apparatus is
provided that ensures the power supply to the supply body conveyor
is disconnected before the body cover is opened.
Generally, and with respect to the first aspect, an interaction
between an arm and the power supply provide the aforesaid and other
advantages with respect to the spreader device. Specifically, an
arm located adjacent the spreader device is movable between a
position that prevents opening of the spreader cover and a position
that permits opening of the cover. The power supply to the motor
that drives the auger located in the spreader includes first and
second couplings, with the first coupling being located with
respect to the arm so that the first and second couplings may be
engaged only when the arm is in a position that prevents the cover
from opening. Conversely, the inventive assembly permits the cover
to be opened only when the first and second couplings are
separated, thereby interrupting the power supply to the motor and
preventing operation of the auger. These aspects of the present
invention can be realized by resort to various physical
embodiments. The preferred embodiments are disclosed and described
herein.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a conventional truck-mounted supply
body and spreader device combination 10 is depicted, with
embodiments of the systems of the present invention mounted
thereon. As will be appreciated, the inventive systems are
universal in that they are readily adaptable to a wide variety of
supply body and spreader designs and configurations, and may be
integrated into the same at the factory or applied onto older body
and spreader designs in the form of retrofit kits. In this figure
and other figures, the spreader device is shown as mounted onto the
supply body, although the spreader device may be mounted onto the
truck chassis, if desired.
Although the supply body 11 may be of any configuration, the
particular supply body depicted in FIG. 1 is commonly referred to
as a V-Box. V-Box bodies are open at the top to receive particulate
material therein and have, as their name implies, straight,
downwardly sloped angled sides 12a, 12b. These sloping sides
function to direct the particulate material toward the lower center
of the body.
Particulate material is loaded into the V-Box through the open top
portion, which portion is depicted in the figures as having an
optional cover in the form of screens 13a, 13b installed. A
conveyor, such as an auger (shown in phantom) 14, is also provided
in the lower portion of the V-Box. The auger 14 extends from the
front of the V-Box to at least the rear of the V-Box, and typically
(as illustrated) beyond the rear of the V-Box. The auger 14
functions to move the material to the rear of the V-Box. The auger
14 will typically extend into the spreader device located at the
rear of the V-Box (as illustrated) to ensure movement of desired
quantities of particulate material from the V-Box 11 into the
spreader device 15, as well as within the spreader device itself.
Alternatively, a second, separate conveyor or auger may be provided
in the spreader device.
The spreader device 15, located at the rear of the V-Box, includes
a hopper having an inlet that receives particulate material from
the V-Box and an outlet to distribute the material. A pivotable
cover 21 is also provided on the upper portion of the hopper to
prevent undesired access to the interior of the hopper. A spinner
22 is often located under the outlet of the spreader to scatter the
particulate material across the surface over which the spreader
travels.
A motor 25 is provided to drive the auger. The motor is preferably
hydraulic, although other types of motors could also be used. As
shown in the preferred embodiment, a first pressure line 26 that
powers the hydraulic motor 25 runs from a pressure source 27,
through a control valve (not shown), and terminates prior to the
motor at a first coupling 28.
In one embodiment, as best depicted in FIG. 4A, the first coupling
28 is mounted onto a movable arm 30. A second pressure line 31 runs
from the motor 25, is affixed onto a second movable arm 32, and
terminates at a second coupling 29. Moving to FIG. 2, each arm 30,
32 is mounted adjacent the spreader device, in this embodiment on a
rotatable shaft 35a, 35b which is mounted onto the supply body,
with the shaft and arm being located and configured so as to
prevent the spreader cover 21 from being opened when the first and
second couplings 28, 29 are connected. Thus, it is only when the
first and second couplings are disconnected (as shown in FIG. 4B,
and in more detail in FIG. 5), and the auger power supply is
interrupted, that the cover 21 may be opened.
An alternative embodiment of the movable arm is depicted in FIG. 7.
In this embodiment, there is at least one 40a, and preferably two
40b, movable arm in the form of a two-flap hinge. One of the
couplings 28 is attached to the flap of one hinge 40a, with the
pressure line 31 passing through a flap of the second hinge 40b.
The flaps of each arm not in contact with the coupling or pressure
line are affixed to the supply body 11, allowing the non-affixed
flaps to freely rotate about their respective hinge axis. The
two-flap hinges of this embodiment are located and configured to
prevent the spreader cover 21 from being opened when the first and
second couplings 28, 29 are connected (see, e.g., FIG. 8A). Again,
it is only when the first and second couplings are disconnected,
and the hinges rotated toward the supply body (as shown in FIG.
8B), that the cover 21 may be opened.
It should be appreciated that the arms could be located farther
from one another and not over the cover in either of the
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B (as depicted in phantom
in FIG. 7), so that the portion of the pressure line 31 located
therebetween will prevent the cover 21 from opening when the first
and second couplings 28, 29 are engaged.
Another alternative embodiment of the movable arm is depicted in
FIG. 9A. In this embodiment, at least one movable arm 50a in the
form of a two-flap hinge, with one flap mounted on the side of the
spreader device itself. The second hinge flap extend upward, with a
coupling being affixed thereto. A second arm 50b, movable or
immovable, may be provided on the opposite sidewall of the spreader
device 15, with the pressure line 31 passing through this second
arm. As illustrated, one flap of each arm is configured to prevent
the cover 21 from opening when the first and second couplings 28,
29 are connected to one another. As before (shown in FIG. 9B), when
the first and second couplings 28, 29 are disconnected, each arm
50a, 50b may be pivoted away from the cover 21, allowing the cover
to be opened. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that both
arms may be fixed in position (i.e., without a hinge) and the cover
width diminished so that the cover can be opened without
interference from the arms or couplings after the couplings are
disconnected (see FIG. 9A which illustrates in phantom a cover of
diminished width).
It should be further appreciated that, in each of the exemplary
configurations described herein, a single arm may be used to the
same effect, with only one of the couplings being affixed to that
arm. If such an alternative embodiment is used, the length of the
pressure line should be limited so the arm cannot move (if movable,
or if not movable that allows the pressure line to be moved from an
interfering position) into a position that permits the cover to be
opened when the first and second couplings are connected.
The couplings 28, 29 may be of any type suitable for the particular
motor power source being utilized, as are well known.
Advantageously, the couplings are the quick-connect-disconnect
type, as depicted in FIG. 5, which permit ease of manipulation in
severe weather conditions, e.g., ice, rain, snow and the like.
A related aspect of the present invention concerns pivotable
screens that are provided on many supply bodies, e.g., V-Box
bodies. This aspect of the invention provides a system that permits
these screens to be opened only after the power supply to the motor
driving the conveyor mechanism, e.g., auger, in the supply body has
been interrupted. While this system can be used alone, it is
preferably used in combination with the system for preventing
opening of the spreader cover described previously.
Turning initially to FIG. 2, there is depicted one embodiment of a
system for preventing opening of the supply body screens 13a, 13b.
This system includes an arm 30 that further includes a rotatable
shaft 35a and strut 52a, wherein the strut 52a is movable between a
position that prevents opening of the screen and a position that
allows opening of the screen. Preferably, a second arm 32 including
a rotatable shaft 35b and strut 52b is also provided. As shown in
FIG. 4A, one of the couplings 28 is affixed to an arm 30 so that
the first and second couplings 28, 29 may be engaged only when the
strut 52a is in a position that prevents the screen 13b adjacent
the strut 52a from opening. After the first and second couplings
28, 29 are disengaged (as shown in FIG. 4B), the shaft, and
therefore the strut 52b, is free to rotate into a position when the
strut 52b no longer interferes with the opening of the screen
13a.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 4B, when the cover and screen
systems are used in combination, the portion of the arm that
prevents the spreader cover from opening 30, 32 and the struts 52a,
52b should be oriented with respect to one another so that, when
the couplings are disengaged, rotation of the shaft will permit
both the cover 21 and screens 13a, 13b to be opened.
A further aspect of the present invention is provided when a
plurality of screens is used to cover the supply body. In such a
situation, and referring to FIG. 6, at least one interfering tab
60, 61 or other like protrusion is provided on at least one set of
screens. These tabs 60, 61 are located to prevent inadvertent
opening of screens 64a, 64b other than those that directly contact
the interfering strut 52a, 52b. In other words, an operator is
precluded from opening a second screen, e.g., 64a, until the first
screen, e.g., 13a, has been opened. Of course, the first screen 13a
is subject to the system, and is prevented from opening by the
strut 52b.
While the present invention is described herein as preventing or
hindering the opening of the cover or screens, it is possible to
have some minor opening of these components while still meeting the
meets and bounds of the present invention. Any opening of these
components beyond a few inches while the couplings remain connected
will reduce the advantages offered by the present invention.
Further, the shape and type of supply body is not critical to the
present invention, and may include curved or straight sides to
assist in directing the particulate material therein to the lower
portion of the body. The body can similarly be of any conventional
design, e.g., a combination dump and spreader body, dump or fixed
body, but again is preferably what is commonly referred to as a
V-Box body.
The present invention provides novel and improved systems for
reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation of an auger in a
supply body and spreader device while the covers of the body and/or
device are open which meets the aforementioned and other needs.
Various additional modifications of the embodiments specifically
illustrated and described herein not specifically mentioned herein
will be apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly in light
of the teachings of this invention. Thus, the invention should not
be construed as limited to the specific forms shown and described,
but instead as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *